Occidental
About Occidental
Occidental is Steve Kistler’s passion project in the Freestone-Occidental area of California. Established in 2013 for one singular purpose only, the man of unbridled ambition seeks to produce incredible Pinot Noir from the region.
With the help of his daughters, Kistler's new winery was completed just in time to harvest that most coveted and often fickle grape - Pinot Noir in 2013. Truly minuscule production means that many buyers may not have known about the roaring success of Occidental on its very first vintage. Critical scores are also hard to find due to lack of samples, but there were always whispers of an outstandingly beautiful Pinot Noir from the coolest regions of the Freestone-Occidental area.
About Steve Kistler
Steve Kistler is a man of unbridled ambition. Many buyers will be very familiar with Kistler Vineyard - famed for its powerfully expressive yet elegant Chardonnay. The leading cult Californian winery was founded in 1978. The family-run estate's vineyards stretch from Western Sonoma to just North of San Francisco Bay and have produced notoriously rare and sought-after wines for close to four decades.
Occidental Wines
The Occidental wines are produced from vineyards on a southwest-facing ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean, just outside the town of Bodega. This ridge and the surrounding headlands mark the western edge of the Freestone-Occidental area and are among the coldest and latest ripening sites where pinot noir is grown in western Sonoma. The estate produces five wines, including the house blend, Freestone-Occidental, and four single-vineyard Pinots, namely, Bodega Headlands Cuvée Elizabeth, Running Fence Cuvée Catherine, SWK Vineyard, Occidental Station Vineyard.
-
Wine Advocate (95+)
The 2018 Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental comes mostly from younger vines at the Occidental property but is made with the same attention to detail as the other wines in the portfolio, using free-run juice. Its nose is an aromatic well, offering crushed blueberries, charcuterie, Earl Grey tea leaves, graphite, saline, bitter orange peel and potpourri aromas. In the mouth, it explodes with lush fruits that give way after their initial rush to bitter, citrusy, minerally accents. It has a fine grain, seamless freshness and long, layered finish. It's enjoyable now but will age well over the next five to eight-plus years.Inc. VAT£756.04 -
Inc. VAT£372.29
-
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
The 2021 Pinot Noir Bodega Headlands Vineyard Cuvée Elizabeth is bright, aromatic and effusive right out of the gate. Rose petal, lavender, red/purplish fruit and spice are beautifully articulated. Medium bodied and gracious, the 2021 is all precision—all class. Bright saline notes resonate on the vibrant, persistent finish. I especially admire its understated personality. This site, planted in 2001 with suitcase clones on 101-14 rootstock and picked early for vibrancy, yields a tense, aromatic, red-toned Pinot endowed with tons of class.Inc. VAT£599.09 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2021 Pinot Noir Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine is gorgeous. Dense and layered, with tremendous vibrancy, the 2021 captures the magic of the West Sonoma Coast in its marriage of fruit intensity and energy. Dark blue/purplish fruit, spice, new leather, menthol, licorice and crushed rocks all race across the palate. This really explodes on the back end. All the elements are so well balanced. There’s real depth and density here. The mix of suitcase clones on Riparia Gloire rootstock expresses notable darkness and richness, all with the freshness and lower alcohols that are typical of the West Sonoma Coast.Inc. VAT£599.09 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)
The 2021 Pinot Noir SWK Vineyard is one of the most vivid, sculpted wines in this range. Crushed rocks, white pepper, lavender, blue fruits and intense saline notes lend striking vibrancy. Understated at first, the 2021 possesses mind-blowing balance and a long, sustained finish to match. As always, the SWK is the most linear and savory of the Occidental Pinots. What a wine! It emerges from the steepest, highest section of the vineyard, where the soils are the thinnest.Inc. VAT£599.09
-
Wine Advocate (95+)
The 2018 Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental comes mostly from younger vines at the Occidental property but is made with the same attention to detail as the other wines in the portfolio, using free-run juice. Its nose is an aromatic well, offering crushed blueberries, charcuterie, Earl Grey tea leaves, graphite, saline, bitter orange peel and potpourri aromas. In the mouth, it explodes with lush fruits that give way after their initial rush to bitter, citrusy, minerally accents. It has a fine grain, seamless freshness and long, layered finish. It's enjoyable now but will age well over the next five to eight-plus years.In Bond£614.00 -
In Bond£291.00
-
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
The 2021 Pinot Noir Bodega Headlands Vineyard Cuvée Elizabeth is bright, aromatic and effusive right out of the gate. Rose petal, lavender, red/purplish fruit and spice are beautifully articulated. Medium bodied and gracious, the 2021 is all precision—all class. Bright saline notes resonate on the vibrant, persistent finish. I especially admire its understated personality. This site, planted in 2001 with suitcase clones on 101-14 rootstock and picked early for vibrancy, yields a tense, aromatic, red-toned Pinot endowed with tons of class.In Bond£480.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2021 Pinot Noir Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine is gorgeous. Dense and layered, with tremendous vibrancy, the 2021 captures the magic of the West Sonoma Coast in its marriage of fruit intensity and energy. Dark blue/purplish fruit, spice, new leather, menthol, licorice and crushed rocks all race across the palate. This really explodes on the back end. All the elements are so well balanced. There’s real depth and density here. The mix of suitcase clones on Riparia Gloire rootstock expresses notable darkness and richness, all with the freshness and lower alcohols that are typical of the West Sonoma Coast.In Bond£480.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)
The 2021 Pinot Noir SWK Vineyard is one of the most vivid, sculpted wines in this range. Crushed rocks, white pepper, lavender, blue fruits and intense saline notes lend striking vibrancy. Understated at first, the 2021 possesses mind-blowing balance and a long, sustained finish to match. As always, the SWK is the most linear and savory of the Occidental Pinots. What a wine! It emerges from the steepest, highest section of the vineyard, where the soils are the thinnest.In Bond£480.00